I'm an 82-year-old real-estate broker and forklift driver. I have no plans to retire — they'll have to drag me out.

Bill Miller still works as a real estate broker and forklift driver.Katie Linsky Shaw for BIThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bill Miller, 82, who works as a real-estate broker and part-time as a forklift driver in North Carolina. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.I got my bachelor's degree from Cornell and a master's degree from Indiana State. I worked on a Ph.D. at NC State, though I never received a degree. All my studies were in biology and zoology.I was employed by Penn State on a NASA grant for a couple of years and taught ninth-grade biology for 10 years. In 1978, a friend asked me to join him in the real-estate business, and I decided to do it.I gave up a salary-based teaching career and entered a strictly commission-based business. I started in upstate New York and moved to Asheville, North Carolina, in 1983. It was emotionally stressful at first, but financially, it was much better to go into real estate.I'm still working in real estate now at 82.Business Insider’s “80 over 80” series draws on interviews with the growing group of Americans working past their 80th birthdays. They discussed their careers, retirement planning, living expenses, healthcare, and life lessons. If you are 80 and older and still work, fill out this form to contribute to the series and read more here:Starting a business in your 80s isn't easy — but it may be the only way to earn a livingFrom 6 figures to minimum wage: America's oldest workers are taking pay cutsThese 80-somethings are using AI more than youOlder Americans in their 80s are applying for jobs — and hitting a wallThey're in their 80s, still working, and living paycheck to paycheckWhat work looks like in your 80s for half a million Americans81 and working to surviveMiller devotes at least a few hours a week to his manual work.Katie Linsky Shaw for BII came down here and started from scratchMy wife and I have been very fortunate and have done very well financially. I started in March 1985 with the firm as a residential broker, and I've been with it for over 40 years.I haven't branched into commercial real estate. I focus mainly on residential real estate and land. We used to play detective. Someone would say they wanted a house with this, this, and this, and we would find half a dozen that fit their needs and then show them the house.In today's market, people are finding houses and coming into town, saying they want to see this one and this one. What they need us for is guidance in the process, such as information about the market or an analysis of the property.We stay very busyMy wife is 77, and she's also very active in the real-estate business at the same company. We've been able to do anything and everything we've ever wanted to do within limits.We're not rich by any means, but we're comfortable in our old age, and we're not lacking for anything. We've been able to raise four children, put them in college, be scuba divers and underwater photographers, and travel the world.A few people at the company are still working into their 80s. I'm the senior guy here, and when I'm in the office, people come to me for advice.I'm pretty well respected among the younger generations. My wife and I tend to hang around with people who are younger than we are because they're busy and active like us. They're full of energy.Miller doesn't need to work for money.Katie Linsky Shaw for BII have a side job working for a guy who has a business that needs forklift and backhoe driversI can run a backhoe, a tractor, a forklift, and a scissorjack. I started over three years ago. I work there between 15 and 20 hours a week, early in the mornings, and then I have the rest of the day free for real estate. I don't need the money, and I'm often paid in benefits. I'm not as active in real estate as I used to be because I'm having too much fun driving.Every day is different. Some days, I'm loading trucks with steel with a forklift, and other days, I'm covered in grease doing manual labor.The guy I work with is younger than I am, and he and I have been fishermen for many years. I've also been helping him clean up his seven-acre property. It's evolved into a really good relationship, almost like father-son.My wife and I have a low-maintenance condo, and we own everythingWe don't have any loans other than a mortgage, no credit card debt, and no car payments. We could live on what we have from Social Security and money in the bank, but neither one of us is ready to sit on a couch and become a vegetable.We've had times way back when we've had to borrow money. In 2008, we owned two houses, and we had to put them both on the market because we couldn't afford to keep both of them. We decided that whichever one sold, we would live in the other one.I'm very active as a volunteer at United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Transformation Village. I've always felt that if I earn my living in a community, I need to give back to that community.I have four kids, all of whom are married and college-educatedSome of them are much better off than I am. Three of the four live in the Asheville area, and we see them on a regular basis. My oldest son and I are competitive sporting clay shooters. I've got six grandchildren.My health is great. I smoked for many years, and even though I haven't for 30 years, my cholesterol is high. I could probably watch my diet more.I had a heart issue 20 years ago, so I'm on a beta blocker to control my heart rate, but it doesn't affect my performance. I've never had any internal surgery.Miller said he plans to work until he can't anymore.Katie Linsky Shaw for BII really don't have any regretsI didn't complete two things: the Eagle Scouts and my Ph.D. I never went back and finished my thesis, and in hindsight, I probably should have. Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing.I'm going to work until they tear me out of there with a black bag. I've had too many friends retire at home, sit down in front of the television, and just vegetate and die. As long as I'm physically able to get up, get dressed, and go to work, I'm going to continue that.Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

Strike dates set in union’s pay dispute with defence company Leonardo

Evening Standard

Brits stocking up on GOLD helps high street claw back ground ahead of grim Budget - with retail sales hitting highest level since 2022

about 5 hours ago

Dailymail

Aston Martin to develop luxury apartments in Florida... which include an luxury car simulator

about 5 hours ago

Dailymail

Tiny Rebel started with plastic buckets and rewired kettles… here's how it became one of Britain's biggest independent breweries

about 5 hours ago

Dailymail

We've just sold our home but there is nothing to buy: Should we rent and what should we do with the cash from our sale while we wait?

about 5 hours ago

It's not entirely out of reach to be an Isa millionaire, says LEE BOYCE - but it does take extreme bravery

Dailymail

Jon Bon Jovi says he was ready to quit performing if his voice didn't recover after surgery: 'I have other things in my life'

about 7 hours ago

The economy doesn't need true AGI, says Replit CEO

insider

Comments

Similar News

B&M shoppers 'running' for 'beautiful' £3.50 'personalised gift'

I'm a café owner in Maine. I'm feeding those about to lose their SNAP benefits for free.

B&M's £1.30 sprays 'from Dubai' make your home smell 'absolutely incredible'

'I'm a fashion writer and River Island has the bra-friendly Christmas party dress of the year'

'I'm a tech expert and these are my top electronic deals on Wowcher'

I dreamed of working at Goldman Sachs until I interned there. Now I'm living my new dream &mdash; running a Y Combinator AI startup.

B&M sells 'gorgeous' £62 designer perfume that 'lasts ages' for £20

I'm a millionaire and had a rift with a family member over a $1,000 loan. It wasn't about the money.

I quit a stable job at Microsoft at age 45 to try something new. I'm happy I took the risk and left on good terms.

M&S, Amazon and Wowcher payday treats plus early Black Friday deals - LIVE

B&M's new £3 lip kits that 'look like P.Louise' are flying off shelves

M&S and Morrisons triumph in annual supermarket Christmas food taste test

M&S and Morrisons triumph in annual supermarket Christmas food taste test

M&S shoppers flock to buy water repellent 'duvet' coat for 'very cold' weather

Sumble emerges from stealth with $38.5M to bring AI-powered context to sales intelligence

Shoppers rave about M&S' 'lightweight but warm' jumper available for £3 with hack

M&S deal sees 'best' Estee Lauder eye cream that 'prevents creasing' down to £5

Jellycat fans 'running' to B&M to stock up on 'cutest' £2 range before Christmas

Great M&S, Next and B&M deals and payday treats plus early Black Friday's offers - live

‘I’m suddenly so angry!’ My strange, unnerving week with an AI ‘friend’

Business News

Strike dates set in union’s pay dispute with defence company Leonardo

UK business activity improves as manufacturing returns to growth

UK business activity improves as manufacturing returns to growth

Strike dates set in union’s pay dispute with defence company Leonardo

UK business activity improves as manufacturing returns to growth

NatWest earnings soar 30% as it takes ‘tight control’ over business costs

One in three UK workers ‘at risk of not being able to cover costs in retirement’

NatWest earnings soar after 600 roles cut across the business

UK business activity improves as manufacturing returns to growth

November 2025 payment dates for benefits and pensions plus cost of living support

Workers face retirement crisis as one in three can’t cover basic needs

The financial support available to single parents in Britain

Shock bills: How much do you need to save in an emergency fund?

Hundreds Of Alaska Airlines Flights Canceled After IT Outage Triggers Hours Long Ground Stop

Therapists Newest Duty Is To Talk With Their Clients About The Use Of AI For Mental Health

Billionaire Prajogo Pangestu’s Chandra Asri To Buy ExxonMobil’s Fuel Stations In Singapore

UK retailers deliver surprise growth as tech sales buoyed by iPhone release

Revolution bars’ owner launches sale process as turnaround falters

NatWest earnings soar 30% as it takes ‘tight control’ over business costs

NatWest earnings soar 30% as it takes ‘tight control’ over business costs

Revolution bars’ owner launches sale process as turnaround falters

UK retailers deliver surprise growth as tech sales buoyed by iPhone release

Dozens Of Alaska Airlines Flights Canceled After IT Outage Triggers Ground Stop

Retail sales in UK hit surprising high - amid strong demand for gold

Spotify hikes UK subscription prices

Delayed inflation report expected to show US prices ticked up last month

Asian shares rise after White House confirms plans for Trump to meet with Chinese leader Xi

Sports betting is a booming business. The FBI's NBA probe is putting it in the spotlight

Deadly semitrailer crash in California renews federal criticism of immigrant truck drivers

EDF to give away free air fryers to some customers

F1 merch, Liverpool FC and Manchester United kits in payday sale plus early Black Friday deals - Live

Cheapest day of the week to go on holiday, according to a travel expert

Half-price Boots deal sees 'fresh and classy' £79 designer scent down to £47

Asda to roll out major change to all 1,200 stores in time for Christmas

MAFS UK viewers puzzled by 'eye slug' beauty product that all the stars wear

Families struggling to afford food as calls for Universal Credit change rise

Household savings hit record £2.2trillion as cash is stockpiled during sticky inflation

Brits stocking up on GOLD helps high street claw back ground ahead of grim Budget - with retail sales hitting highest level since 2022

Aston Martin to develop luxury apartments in Florida... which include an luxury car simulator

Tiny Rebel started with plastic buckets and rewired kettles… here's how it became one of Britain's biggest independent breweries

We've just sold our home but there is nothing to buy: Should we rent and what should we do with the cash from our sale while we wait?

It's not entirely out of reach to be an Isa millionaire, says LEE BOYCE - but it does take extreme bravery

One in three UK workers ‘at risk of not being able to cover costs in retirement’

Garry McRae and ZiZibreeZi: Guiding Investors Through The U.K’s Short-Term Letting Landscape

One in three UK workers ‘at risk of not being able to cover costs in retirement’

Trump Says Trade Talks With Canada ‘Terminated’—Blames ‘Fake’ Anti-Tariff Ads Featuring Reagan

NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Friday, October 24

EJAE Shows Her Vulnerable Side In New Single, ’In Another World’

Everything to know about US sanctions on Russia - why now, and how could it impact the UK?

Apple users could get 'significant' compensation say lawyers, after tech firm loses ruling

Post Office compensation 'worse than original injustice', victims' commissioner says

China's next 5-year plan puts focus on high-tech and consumers

Houston neighbors opt for solar-powered 'hub homes'

'Adorable' £13 Home Bargains accessory 'brightens up your home'

How £31m worth of stolen vehicles have been recovered this year as Britain's car theft epidemic hits 15-year high

Jon Bon Jovi says he was ready to quit performing if his voice didn't recover after surgery: 'I have other things in my life'

The economy doesn't need true AGI, says Replit CEO

I dreamed of working at Goldman Sachs until I interned there. Now I'm living my new dream — running a Y Combinator AI startup.